Google to Get on the App-Store Bandwagon?

Posted Feb 2nd 2010 3:00PM by Tom Taulli
Filed under: Google (GOOG)

Google (GOOG) Apps -- which includes a suite of cloud-computing programs like Gmail, Google Docs and Google Sites -- has a decent footprint, with more than two million business customers. However, the company realizes it needs to do more as competitors come into the market, like Microsoft (MSFT) and IBM (IBM). Yes, the cloud is getting crowded.

So why not setup an app store? This appears to be the plan, according to a recent report from the Wall Street Journal (subscription required). It looks like the launch will come in March. Although, as usual, Google is not saying much on the matter.

But, an app store seems almost like a no-brainer. It allows for third-parties to build rich applications. There is also an incentive to do so -- since they can sell them to other users. Of course, the app store owner gets a nice cut of the action. This has certainly been a boon to other business software providers, especially Salesforce.com (CRM).

While an app store will help, Google still has a long way to make inroads in the marketshares of its main rivals. After all, Microsoft has a whopping 500 million enterprise customers.

Tom Taulli advises on business tax preparation and resolving tax problems. He is also the author of a variety of books, including the including The Complete M&A Handbook. His website is at Taulli.com.

Tags: cloud computing, CloudComputing, crm, goog, google app store, GoogleAppStore, ibm, inthenews, msft